Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

Where is an altitude reporting coded transponder required?

1. From the surface to 10,000 feet MSL within a 10 NM radius of any airport traffic pattern

2. At and above 10,000 feet MSL and below the floor of Class A airspace

3. Within 25 NM of a Class B primary airport from the surface upward to 10,000 feet MSL

4. Within Class D airspace only

The correct answer is: At and above 10,000 feet MSL and below the floor of Class A airspace

An altitude reporting coded transponder is required at and above 10,000 feet MSL and below the floor of Class A airspace due to the increased complexity of air traffic operations at higher altitudes. The need for altitude awareness in these scenarios is crucial for maintaining safe separation between aircraft and enhancing situational awareness for air traffic control. At altitudes above 10,000 feet, the density of air traffic often increases, and aircraft are operating in more crowded airspace. The transponder provides vital information regarding an aircraft's altitude, which assists air traffic controllers in managing traffic safely and efficiently. The requirement persists up to the floor of Class A airspace, where transponder usage is mandatory to ensure safety and proper coordination among various flight operations. While there are other rules regarding transponder usage in different airspace classifications, this specific regulation is focused on the unique requirements of higher altitudes where more extensive monitoring is essential for safety.